Day: November 1, 2013

Pilate and Herod are as kings of “Babylon.” Hear Jesus’ silence in his encounters with them. While there are a few words of Jesus to Pilate expressing who Jesus is, there is not a word in the presence of Herod. As the evil kings of his ancestors from the readings from 2 Chronicles, all the pomp and noise of Herod produces nothing but Jesus’ steady silent stare into his face.

Just before today’s account in Luke of Jesus brought before Pilate, Matthew has inserted the account of the tragic end of Judas, using verses that occur in our reading on Tuesday from Zechariah. If only he, as Peter, had found a moment to behold Jesus’ look of sadness and love upon him! Being in such a presence might have changed him. Look what it did for Pilate and Herod; they became friends!